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Troops in Afghanistan Kill, Detain Enemy Fighters

WASHINGTON, Aug. 29, 2008  Afghan and coalition forces killed more than two dozen militants and detained two others during two operations in Afghanistan yesterday, military officials reported.

Almost a dozen militants were killed and two were detained during a coalition forces operation to disrupt militant activities in Paktika province.

Coalition forces searched compounds in the Bermel district, targeting an individual affiliated with militant leaders responsible for the movement of foreign fighters from Pakistan into Afghanistan. Militants engaged coalition forces during their search of the compounds. The forces responded with small-arms fire, killing the militants.

In the other operation, Afghan and coalition forces killed more than a dozen militants after a coalition base in Shaheed Hasas district, Oruzgan province, was attacked.

Militants simultaneously attacked the base and checkpoints with mortars from multiple firing positions and with small-arms fire, machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, resulting in the death of two Afghan security guards. The joint force responded with small-arms fire, mortar and close-air support, killing the militants.

In other Afghanistan news, three detainees being held at the Bagram Theater Internment Facility were released early to the Afghan government yesterday for Ramadan.

The three individuals were scheduled for release at a later date, but this process was expedited to reunite them with their families prior to the holy days, officials said. As part of a reconciliation program called Program Takhim e Sol, they agreed not to take up arms and also swore allegiance to the government of Afghanistan.

Their release was an initiative of the United States military, the Afghan government and the International Committee of the Red Cross.